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What is the TOEFL Exam Structure
The TOEFL exam structure attracts widespread attention, particularly from those planning to study overseas. This certification is widely recognized for American English proficiency in foreign universities.
Structure of the TOEFL Exam
There are two common types of TOEFL: TOEFL iBT (computer-based) and TOEFL PBT (paper-based). Nowadays, TOEFL PBT is gradually being replaced by the internet-based format, so you need to be proficient in computer skills to effectively take the exam.
The TOEFL exam comprises 4 sections: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Candidates must complete the exam in approximately 4 hours.
TOEFL Reading Section Structure
In this section, you will read a passage accompanied by related questions. You will have 60 - 80 minutes to both read and answer approximately 36 - 42 questions with 3 - 4 passages. Both questions and passages will be displayed on the screen, and your task is to carefully read the passage to provide accurate answers based on all the information provided.
TOEFL Listening Structure
Candidates have approximately 60 - 90 minutes to complete the listening section. The purpose of this section is to assess your listening comprehension through lectures, conversations from 4 - 6 items within approximately 3 - 5 minutes, corresponding to 500 - 800 words. In academic settings, you are always exposed to lectures and conversations in English, especially at North American universities and other English-speaking regions.
Typically, the lectures in the TOEFL exam are discussions between teachers and students about exercises or in a class session, where the professor directly teaches and students have short questions for exchange,... As for the conversations, the key figures are usually professors, students, assistants, or school staff talking to each other. After the listening section, candidates have a 10-minute break before proceeding to the remaining sections.
Structure of the TOEFL Speaking Test - Speaking Section
The speaking test aims to assess your ability to express thoughts on given topics in English. Within 20 minutes, you will have to answer 6 questions, including integrated (combining skills - summarizing speaking) and independent (free speaking).
For the independent speaking section, candidates will respond to 2 questions on familiar everyday topics with 15 seconds preparation time and 45 seconds to speak. Integrated speaking requires combining multiple skills such as listening, reading, speaking. Specifically, with 4 questions in the integrated speaking section, the preparation time is 60 seconds and 120 seconds to respond. The requirement of this section is to answer information revolving around topics obtained from listening or reading. You will need to summarize the main points and present them to complete your speaking test. Additionally, before starting the speaking test, you will be equipped with a microphone. The candidate's speaking test will be recorded and sent to the Educational Testing Service (ETS) for evaluation.
Structure of the TOEFL Writing Test - Writing Section
Similar to the speaking section, the structure of the TOEFL writing test also includes 2 tasks: integrated and independent. In the first integrated writing task (combining different skills), candidates will read a short passage and listen to a lecture on the same topic for about 3 minutes with approximately 200 - 220 words. Then, you will have 20 minutes to write an essay using the information obtained from the passage and the listening section. The requirement for this essay writing section is around 150 - 225 words.
For the task 2 writing section (independent - pure writing), you will be asked to write an essay on a topic to express your own opinions, thoughts. To excel in this writing section, besides stating opinions, you need to explain, provide examples, use famous quotes,... Finally, don't forget to summarize the information and draw conclusions for your essay.
Understanding the requirements and structure of the TOEFL test is essential for you to know the direction of effective preparation methods. In addition to the TOEFL test structure, readers can also refer to the IELTS test structure. TOEFL and IELTS are important international certificates for you to have the opportunity to study and live abroad, so you need to make efforts and strive to achieve your desired goals.
